Eastborough Colorado Springs, CO

In the early 1890s, the discovery of gold at nearby Pikes Peak mountain resulted in an influx of more than 50,000 people to the area looking to get rich on gold. Many of them did, and in the 19th century, Colorado Springs became known as the “city of millionaires.” As the area boomed, the Eastborough neighborhood grew up east of Colorado Springs between the 1950s and the 2000s, with homes still being built today.

For more history, head to the nearby National Museum of World War II Aviation to view World War II aircraft being restored. If art interests you, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, located downtown, contains works by a number of famous artists. For a fun annual event, head to the Pikes Peak Air Strip Attack at the airport in June, where you can see street cars race half mile stretches.

For a night out inside the neighborhood, locals can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and great home brews at Kraft Brew and take in a film at Picture Show Entertainment. Kraft Brew serves up its own beer in many styles including a few IPAs, a porter, a wheat and a lager. The Picture Show gives locals a cheap place to catch a flick at only $1.75 per ticket. The theater plays good older movies as well as recent releases and has a full-service concession stand. Hit both establishments on a Tuesday night for the best deals.

For extra entertainment on the weekends, locals can head over to Latin Quarters Nightclub to enjoy DJs spinning Latin tunes and all types of Latin dancing, including salsa and merengue. The club even provides dance lessons early each Friday night.

For dining inside the neighborhood, a bunch of chain restaurants and a few local establishments cluster around North and South Academy Boulevards. Residents' favorite local spots include ethnic eats such as Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Grill, Mexican restaurant La Sinaloense and Bhan Thai.

At Saigon Grill, the Lemongrass Chicken (Bun Ga Xao Xa Ot) served with vermicelli and mixed vegetables gets rave reviews for its savory flavors and huge portions. For some Mexican fare, head over to La Sinaloense where the breads and pastries keep locals coming back. Locals say you must try the pan dulce and the puerquitos, small pig-shaped gingerbread cookies, for their authenticity and delectable tastes.

Travel a little further around the world without leaving home, and take in some tasty Thai over at Bhan Thai. In this restaurant where locals have a difficult time choosing, the black soy noodles stand out. The dish includes stir-fried, fresh, wide rice noodles with a sweet soy sauce, eggs and assorted vegetables. For more protein, add shrimp or assorted seafood for a small fee. Whether you order the black soy noodles, the pad Thai, the green curry or the drunken noodles, you can't go wrong at Bhan Thai.

For running errands, locals typically travel by car and appreciate the free parking lots around town and over 2,400 metered parking spaces downtown. Locals interested in walking can enjoy quiet neighborhood streets or head to the neighborhood’s Sand Creek Trail, just under 4 miles of paved trails for walking, running or biking. In addition to the Sand Creek Trail, cyclists can bike on dedicated bike lanes on Airport Road and Constitution Avenue, both main roads on the north side of the neighborhood.

Uber and Yellow Cab serve the area, though you need to call ahead to arrange a pick-up. Residents of Eastborough can also enjoy a ride on the city’s public bus system, Mountain Metro. For interstate travel, locals can get to Interstate 25, located 5 miles away, in less than 11 minutes.

Eastborough residents who love nature happily find themselves surrounded by over 13 parks. On the south side, five standalone playgrounds give kids all the action they need. At the center of the neighborhood lies Roosevelt Park with a baseball/softball field, multi-use court, picnic shelter and playground.

The closest large park and the city's premier recreation facility, Memorial Park, features a staggering amount of amenities. Memorial Park includes a YMCA with an indoor pool and fitness room, a public ice skating center, picnic areas, three playgrounds, three fitness trails and a concession stand. Sports facilities include a bicycle racing track, roller skate racing track, three baseball/softball fields, 15 football/soccer fields and 12 tennis courts. In addition the lake in the park features a swimming beach, boating and two fishing areas.

Operated by the city, all parks remain free of charge and open year round. Memorial Park hosts a few annual events including a Fourth of July celebration that features fireworks over the park and a performance by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic orchestra. Doggies can join you on park outings but be sure to grab the leash so as to comply with the city’s leash law.

The cost of living in Eastborough averages about 1 percent lower than it does in the city of Colorado Springs, with a one-bedroom apartment running $663 per month. Traveling around town remains affordable with gas prices running 20 percent lower than the national average and a one-way bus ticket costing only $1.75. A domestic draft beer costs about $5 in the Colorado Springs area.

Shopping in the neighborhood consists of traditional chain store shopping at the Citadel Mall located on the north side of Eastborough and a few local specialty shops spread throughout the neighborhood.

One of the favorite local shops, Seven Status, sells women’s and men’s stylish consignment items from its location at the Citadel Mall. The store accepts and sells “like new” consignments and donates 20 percent of its sales to fight human trafficking.

Just south of the mall lies another favorite local shop, Muse Comics and Games. Locals rave about the immaculate and organized condition of the shop as well as its knowledgeable and friendly staff. Muse stocks comics such as the Hulk, Green Arrow and Lobo and also gives back to the community by providing free comic drawing classes.

When it’s time for veggies, head over to nearby Memorial Park for the Memorial Park Farmers Market on Thursday mornings from June through October. For traditional grocery shopping, Safeway and Sam’s Club lie within the neighborhood.